Stockpiling food; sensationalism or prudence?

[MotherofKitties]

I've been reading quite a lot of speculation from online media outlets suggesting that people should start stockpiling food in case of a 'no deal' Brexit situation.

I initially poo-pooed the idea as fake news/media sensationalism, but it got me thinking - if we do end up being in a no-deal situation, what would happen?

'No deal' would presumably mean no trade agreements so no imported food until an agreement had been reached. I have no idea how much food we do import, but I suspect it is a lot. If a 'no deal' scenario looked likely, would a stockpiling scenario be sensible? If so, what would be the best things to stockpile?

I doubt (hope) we would end up in that situation, but it's food for thought...

We had rationing in and after the war and managed fine; I should think that if there is a serious possibility of food shortages plans would be already in place.

Brexit doesn't have to be like this. Why has this government chosen to do this to us?

There's potentially going to be an almighty quadruple whammy next March - April.

1 Brexit - disruption to food supply chain and increased food prices.
2 Weather knock-on effects - increased food prices.
3 Roll out of Universal Credit meaning loss of tax credits for families for five weeks or more.
4 Fewer people in a position to donate to food banks, along with extra demand on those same food banks.

If the implications of a no deal are this great then no deal is simply not an option. It would be putting the lives of thousands of people at risk. I voted leave and personally I am very disappointed with the way the government has handled the negotiations. I also think the whole process is being rushed. It took me a long time to decide which way I wanted to vote and if I’m completely honest I think I would vote remain if given another chance. Unfortunately I don’t think that will happen because the government won’t want to admit a defeat - even if it does put people at the risk of starvation.

Brexit doesn't have to be like this. Why has this government chosen to do this to us? To try and prove a point.

I think that people on essential daily medicines like (eg) Levothyroxine would possibly be wise to re-order their prescriptions in February and then again in March. It won't go to waste if everything's fine.

It's a bit like gearing up for the fucking Christmas shut-down, but without the desultory green tinsel sellotaped to the receptionist's desk.

We had rationing in and after the war and managed fine;
We are not at war. Although they did work hard at the time to make the ration as good as possible, it wasn't perfect. E.g. it was possible to eat out at a cafe at lunchtime without dipping into your ration. Guess who could afford to eat out regularly? A clue, it wasn't the average working man or woman.
Clothing was rationed, for which you had to give coupons, but again, the better off could afford to buy better quality which lasted so effectively needed fewer coupons. They did eventually get round this by introducing the Utility scheme.
Rationing then got worse after the war, with bread going on the ration.
Medicines were fewer then e.g. antibiotics were new. Even in the early 1950s it was quite a big deal to be prescribed penicillin.

I think that people on essential daily medicines like (eg) Levothyroxine would possibly be wise to re-order their prescriptions in February and then again in March. It won't go to waste if everything's fine.

Which is fine if you’re on non-controlled medication with a long shelf life. Not everyone is. The medication I rely on, and would be hospitalised very quickly without, is made in Germany and I have no idea what’s going to happen.

May and Raab both have said that it official government policy to encourage stockpiling in case of no deal.

So prudence. In line with government policy.